Estepona Travel Guide

Estepona is on the S coast of Spain and is the most westerly resort on the Costa del Sol. It is 52 mls SW of Malaga and 47 mls SW of Malaga airport. It is positioned on the coast, just off the main Malaga to Cadiz road. The Sierra Bermeja mountains rise to the N, but the town centre is flat.Estepona town is primarily a developed fishing village, much less commercialised and more authentic than neighbouring resorts. With many of its traditional elements intact, it has a less polished atmosphere; older folk chat outside their front doors in the evening, eyeing the passers-by as they have done for years. The buildings appear more ramshackle than in other Costa del Sol resorts, with modern apartments next to plainly time-worn establishments. However, it is by no means behind the times; there is a pleasant, modern seaside promenade and harbour area, and the needs of tourists are well provided for. The whole Estepona resort area, however, covers around 14 mls of coastline, which means that accommodation can be rather isolated, far from the main amenities.

Estepona is well suited to families or couples looking for a quieter, less commercialised resort. The accommodation is quite varied and ranges from, from centrally located budget pensions to sprawling 5-star spa resorts some miles outside town; 10 apartment complexes including a nudist option.The main beach in Estepona is generally wide with coarse sand and some pebbly sections; it is backed by a wide promenade with a few eateries. Jet-skiing and parasailing are quite popular in summer. Beach quality deteriorates either side of the town centre, so don’t count on a decent beach out of town.

Shoppers will find the central streets claim the best shopping areas, with small local shops selling handicrafts, leather goods, ceramics etc. A few quite expensive local boutiques.Entertainment in Estepona is generally beach and water-based activities; exploring the old town including Los Remedios church and the clock tower, Torre del Reloj (organised tours every Thurs, departing from the tourist office); the bullring, just outside town, has 4 small museums (local history, archaeology, palaeontology and bullfighting); Sierra de las Nieves Nature Park; tennis; golf; deep-sea fishing.

Nightlife is limited, apart from whiling away the hours at local drinking establishments.Eating out offers traditional “tapas” bars and the odd Argentinian restaurant in the town centre. The speciality is seafood, with not a lot else on offer.

Getting around the area is made easy with frequent buses which run between Estepona and Marbella, with a semi-regular service between Estepona and Malaga, Torremolinos and Fuengirola. Less frequent runs to other resorts. For transportation within the resort, there is a rather expensive taxi service, operated from the sole rank at the harbour, just E of the tourist office.

Casares Travel Guide

Casares has been inhabited for thousands of years by a myriad of civilisations, each leaving its mark. Besides walking along the narrow, cobbled streets with their Moorish design, one should not miss the opportunity to see the Arab Castle at the top of the hill where the views are spectacular.

Casares is a picture postcard village with a population of just three thousand and the view from the approach is definitely worth a photo. To say that Casares is beautiful is an understatement. Most of the white villages are beautiful but there is something very special about the sight of Casares that causes the visitor to park the car and simply stare or take a photo. There are the sugar cubes again, piled precariously high and just nudging the battlements of the Arab castle. It is hard to believe that this enchanting, typical village is only nine miles from the hustle and bustle of the coast and somehow succeeded in avoiding the coach tour circuit.

Locality:
The village of Casares is just 14 kilometres from the bustling and cosmopolitan Costa Del Sol, in the province of Andalucia. Its municipal territory stretches between the Costa del Sol, the Ronda highlands and the Gibraltar plain. As a result, it shows some of the characteristics of each of those three zones, although the mountain region more influences its appearance than the other two.

Those wanting a rewarding scenic experience can follow the narrow street adjacent to the Virgin del Rosario chapel. Keep climbing and eventually you will have reached the top of the town of some 1,400 feet above sea level.
There is an old fortress and a derelict church, as well as a marvelous view overlooking the rooftops of the village. Peregrine falcons and kestrels can be found here, on a clear day, you will be able to spy on the African coast with the Rock of Gibraltar looming craggily in the foreground. Tiny village shops full of local produce hide round every corner with a scattering of small bars and cafes thrown in for good measure. Local pottery and leatherwork are very good buys.

The town is almost untouched by tourism. Casares has its own little museum with artefacts dating from the Roman times. The whole town is a photographer’s paradise. In Roman times the town was of such importance that it had its own mint and Roman baths which were ordered to be built by Caesar as a sign of gratitude to being cured of a skin complaint after bathing in the sulphurous waters in the locality. Numerous Roman ruins lie close by, including part of an aquaduct. A truly, sleepy village, locked in time. The local fiestas take place in the first two weeks of August and the Cristo fair takes place in September when the village comes alive.

Costa Del Sol Travel Guide

One of the most popular holiday haunts for British tourists is the coast of Andalucia known as the Costa del Sol that runs from Nerja to Gibraltar . Resorts boisterous and elegant offer every amenity and facility imaginable, all within one hour of Malaga Airport . Miles of sandy beaches, rows of hotels, and over 320 days of sunshine every year. There is something on offer here for everyone. The coastal resorts of Torremolinos, Fuengirola and Marbella are amongst the most popular. Further down the coast are quieter areas that are still developing, such as that of Estepona, a quaint town with a wonderful seafront and a prosperous future in the holiday marketplace.

Since the 1950′s this area has been a popular destination, attracting more and more people each year. The airport, roads, rail and other facilities have grown in accordance with demand. The attraction to holiday and live here is still there. The lifestyle is ‘ideal’ and you can get out of it, what you put in. Golfers who wish to play on first class courses in dry, sunny weather will find all that they want on the Costa del Sol. There are in fact some of the best courses in the world. If sight-seeing is part of your agenda then this wonderful area has much to offer.

 

Within a short distance are major cities worth seeing and on the other extreme are tiny white-washed villages clinging to the mountain sides. Not far from the crowded beaches are true Spanish villages such as Casares , Ronda , Manilva and Sabinillas , all locked in time. Along the coast, tourists of all nationalities are made welcome and there are few places that do not understand English.